There has to be a single man at church you can ask out. Come on. I’m not going to answer your question about knowing anyone who goes to church. What kind of guy are you looking to date anyway?

Imagining you as a stepmom made me laugh. You’d be too busy playing with the kids to be strict. Bet.

Your sister’s rant probably wasn’t what your mom wanted to hear. I got you. You’re worried about her because you love her. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s no point appreciating something or someone after they’re out of your life. That always seemed pretty fake to me.

We can take Ax out of the country. We just need to make sure not to get caught is all. :]

Hang in there. Thinking of you all.

-Aaron

From: [email protected]

Date: February 23, 2009 9:11 p.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: Bet

Aaron,

You tell me not to cry, and then I cry more. It’s a curse.

She’s fine. The lump is benign. I’ve never been so relieved in my life. I cried when she told me the good news. It felt like a hundred pounds came off my shoulders and it wasn’t even me that’s sick.

You don’t have to call, I’m sure you have better people to call, but my number is 832-555-5555. My Skype IM name is… guess? RubyMars.

Look, I’ll e-mail you tomorrow. Right now I’m mopey for some reason and you don’t need that. I’m going to go cry a little now in relief. Maybe I’ll play some Duck Hunt to unwind. Nothing celebrates life like picking off innocent digital ducks.

-Ruby

From: [email protected]

Date: February 24, 2009 10:04 a.m.

To: [email protected]

Subject: Sorry for the millionth time

Aaron,

I’m sorry for the e-mail yesterday. I feel like I’m halfway back to normal, but thinking of my mom being sick left me with the worst stomachache. It’s easy to forget how uncertain life can be. What you said about not appreciating people until they’re gone really struck home.

You asked what kind of guy I’d be interested in dating. I just want him to be mostly nice, funny, likes to do things with me, and be honest. And have a job. It’d be nice if he was taller than me, but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker if we were the same height. That’s not asking for much. What do you think? I know what I don’t want better than what I do.

If I were a stepmom, I wouldn’t have to be the disciplinarian. Get it? I’d win the kids over by being the one who plays with them and is fun.

Thanks again for putting up with my babbling and everything. I appreciate it.

I haven’t shared a joke with you in a while. Here you go:

What did the ocean say to the shore?

…nothing. It just waved.

Hope you’re okay. Give Ax a rub for me.

-Ruby

Chapter 10

March

March 3, 2009

12:08 p.m.

AHall80: you awake?

RubyMars: Yes?

RubyMars: Aaron?

AHall80: Hey

RubyMars: Holy crap.

RubyMars: Hey. You caught me off guard, sorry. How are you?

AHall80: All right… you?

RubyMars: Still alive, I can’t complain too much. :) RubyMars: I can’t believe you actually messaged me.

RubyMars: I’m still trying to catch up on some work.

AHall80: If you’re working, I can let you go

RubyMars: No, don’t worry about it. I’m tired and my eyes are starting to cross. I should take a break before I mess up so bad I give myself more work to do fixing it.

RubyMars: Is this really you?

AHall80: Yes lol :]

AHall80: What are you working on? Costume stuff, day job, or wedding dress?

RubyMars: Day job. Can you sense my excitement?

AHall80: All the way over here. Got a lot left?

RubyMars: Define a lot.

AHall80: You got days left of work?

RubyMars: Not as much as I should, which is stressing me out, but I think I’m just being paranoid. Who complains about not having enough work?

RubyMars: I’m rambling. Sorry.

AHall80: Heh. It’s all right. How you feeling?

RubyMars: Compared to how I was feeling three weeks ago, a thousand times better. Compared to how I felt two months ago, still like crap.

RubyMars: :) AHall80: You eating?

RubyMars: Yes, Mommy Aaron. I’m back up ten pounds.

RubyMars: Am I being too… familiar with you? I don’t want to make you feel weird.

AHall80: No. You’re how I expected AHall80: You’re packing on that weight quick.

RubyMars: ……

AHall80: I’m messing with you. Glad you are

AHall80: Am I being too familiar now?

RubyMars: No, you’re just like I expected.

RubyMars: :) RubyMars: How’s the constipation?

AHall80: ….

RubyMars: ….

AHall80: ….

RubyMars: No? You didn’t like that question?